Flaxton
New member
What is the status of a log pile left for ecology reasons?
stacked logs
- Thread starter Flaxton
- Start date
Colin L
Tour Winner
If you mean that the logs have been deliberately piled up together to create, say, a habitat for bugs, beasties, birds and the like, I would reckon it is an artificial object in the same way as logs stacked together to create a bench. It would then be an immovable obstruction from which you could take relief. It might be better for the ecological purpose, however, to define the area as a no play zone either in GUR if you are happy with free relief or in a penalty area if free relief were seen to be overly advantageous to a player who has played a wayward shot.
If, on the other hand, you mean that some trees have been felled and left in situ to rot away where each dropped, I'd see that as having no status at all unless the Committee defines the area as GUR.
If, on the other hand, you mean that some trees have been felled and left in situ to rot away where each dropped, I'd see that as having no status at all unless the Committee defines the area as GUR.
jim8flog
Journeyman Pro
If just piled and left for no particular reason I would see them as loose impediments.
Colin L
Tour Winner
Yes, of course - individually each would be a loose impediment. I was thinking more of the area.
Flaxton
New member
Thanks for your input. They are left for bugs and beasties but if someone is able to move an odd one (without unduly holding up play) that would probably be ok.
When we are generally trying to get rid of as many local rules as possible we would prefer not to have to add one for these piles.
When we are generally trying to get rid of as many local rules as possible we would prefer not to have to add one for these piles.
backwoodsman
Tour Winner
If they have been piled for bugs & beasties, then you don't people moving them about - else the purpose of them being there is negated. So for practical purposes, they ought to be declared as immovable obstructions, or integral to the course. After all they should be in an area where you ought not be hitting your ball, and if you do land close by them, you should be expecting to be in trouble.
Colin L
Tour Winner
If they are deliberately piled up into some form of construction, you have an immovable obstruction and would not be allowed to move any individual logs. If they are just lying around then you could.
Grant85
Head Pro
Could you put red stakes around this area and have it as a penalty area? Would mean no need for a local rule and discourage players for playing near it.
Not sure if this is appropriate within the rules of golf, but given plenty of courses still have internal out of bounds, I'm sure it would be allowed.
rulie
Head Pro
You make it sound like internal out of bounds are not allowed by the Rules? Well, the Rules still do permit Committees to have internal out of bounds areas. Clubhouse areas, maintenance areas and practice areas are common examples.
rulefan
Tour Winner
Why penalize any one. As Colin says, an artificial construction, regardless of what it is made from, is an immovable obstruction (Abnormal Course Condition), from which free relief is available.
